The Warriors Will Be Deadly If They Trade For LaMarcus Aldridge
With Steph Curry and Klay Thompson returning after serious injuries last season, the Golden State Warriors are expected to be scary good again. They're now reportedly interested in trading for Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. If everyone returns to expected form and Aldridge heads to Golden State, the league is in trouble.
Aldridge averaged 18.9 points/game at a 38.9% clip from deep. He provides another offensive weapon to an offense that, when healthy, was nearly impossible to stop. The Warriors were favorites pre-Kevin Durant because of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. What happens when LaMarcus Aldridge provides even more shooting to space the floor in Golden State?
They obviously have the firepower to make any hypothetical deal happen, as they currently hold the #2 pick in this month's draft. Draft pick aside, they also have former #1 pick Andrew Wiggins to send in a deal. Bingo.
What's even better for Golden State is that Curry and Thompson are already signed up long-term. This means they can get aggressive as need be to acquire talent around the duo. That safety net makes a deal for Aldridge not only realistic, but probable if they want him.
LaMarcus Aldridge's contract expires after the 2020-21 season as he's set to make $24 million, so Golden State can make that work. The worst part for the league? That expiring deal should mean the Warriors won't need to part with their top pick to get this deal done. A team with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Aldridge also holds a top pick in the NBA draft.
It's almost getting unfair (again).